Dehong

Dehong has frequent showers during the rainy season, so it is best to carry an umbrella when going out.

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture lies on China’s southwestern frontier, bordering Myanmar on three sides. It has a distinct Dai culture and a strong Southeast Asian feel. Local prices are relatively traveler-friendly, and the pace of life is relaxed, making it well suited to a combined Mangshi and Ruili trip. Below are the main sights in Mangshi and Ruili, along with suggested itineraries.

Main Sights in Mangshi

• Menghuan Grand Golden Pagoda: Mangshi’s iconic landmark, known as Asia’s largest hollow Buddhist pagoda. It is best to visit after 4:30 p.m. to avoid the harsh midday sun. From higher ground, you can also look out over the city at sunset, when the golden pagoda stands out even more in the evening light.

• Menghuan Silver Pagoda: Known for its pure white exterior and Dai royal palace style, facing the Menghuan Grand Golden Pagoda. After the lights come on at night, the atmosphere is gentle and quiet. Reflections can be photographed in the puddles in front of the pagoda, and photos with Dai-style clothing feel especially local.

• Tree-Wrapped Pagoda: Located in downtown Mangshi and open free of charge. A century-old banyan tree wraps around the pagoda, creating a scene where natural growth and religious architecture intertwine. It is a good stop to visit along the way.

• Mengbanaxi Rare Garden: Focused on tropical plant landscapes, with lush ancient trees, free-roaming peacocks, and many rare plants. It is a good place to slow down and experience Dehong’s tropical ecology.

• Bodhi Street: Navigate to “Mangshi Hotel.” Palm trees line both sides of the road, and the streetscape has a Southeast Asian style. It is ideal for riding a small electric scooter through downtown Mangshi.

Main Sights in Ruili

• One Village, Two Countries: Located on the China–Myanmar border, this is a unique sight where one village belongs to two countries. In the scenic area, the swing can swing toward the other side of the border, and Boundary Marker No. 71 is also a popular photo stop.

• Jiegao Border Gate: A China–Myanmar immigration port and the endpoint of National Highway 320. For 10 yuan, you can go up to the second floor of “One Glance at Two Countries” and look toward Myanmar through the iron gate, experiencing the everyday atmosphere of a border crossing.

• Moli Tropical Rainforest: About 1.5 hours by car from Mangshi. Rainbows can often be seen at Moli Waterfall when the sun shines on it, making it suitable for travelers who enjoy hiking and natural scenery.

Suggested Itineraries

• 3 Days, 2 Nights (Mangshi + Ruili): Day 1: Arrive in Mangshi and go to Xinwanchang Night Market in the evening for barbecue. Day 2: Visit Mangshi’s Golden Pagoda, Silver Pagoda, and Tree-Wrapped Pagoda in the morning, then charter a car to Ruili in the afternoon. Day 3: Visit One Village, Two Countries and Jiegao Border Gate, then return to Mangshi in the evening, or leave directly from Ruili.
• 5 Days, 4 Nights (Mangshi + Ruili + Tengchong): Spend the first three days following the route above for Mangshi and Ruili. Day 4: Drive about 2.5 hours from Ruili to Tengchong and stay in Heshun Ancient Town. Day 5: Visit Tengchong Rehai Scenic Area and soak in the hot springs, then go to the Volcanic Geology Park before returning.

Local Specialties

• Paoluda: A common dessert in Dehong, made with coconut milk, sago, dried bread pieces, and shredded coconut. Served chilled, it is refreshing in hot weather and costs about 5–15 yuan per cup on the street.
• Sapie: A representative Dehong dipping sauce, with versions such as bitter sapie, sour sapie, and lemon sapie. It is often seasoned with bitter cattle intestine liquid or lemon juice and eaten with rice noodles or beef. The flavor is distinctive.

• Guoshou Rice Noodles: A specialty of the Achang people. Rice noodles are placed in the palm of the hand, mixed with various seasonings and meat sauce, then eaten by hand. The taste is sour, spicy, and appetizing.

• Dai Hand-Grasped Rice: Usually served in a large bamboo winnowing tray with grilled meat, grilled fish, purple rice, and various side dishes. The ingredients are plentiful and brightly colored, and 50–80 yuan per person is usually enough for a filling meal.

• Thin Pea Porridge: Made by grinding white peas into flour and cooking it into a thin porridge, then adding seasonings such as chili oil, chopped scallions, and mashed garlic. It is a common local breakfast.

Transport and Accommodation Guide

• Getting There: The first choice is to fly directly to Dehong Mangshi Airport. The airport is less than 10 km from the city center, and a taxi costs about 15 yuan. If starting from Kunming, you can also take the high-speed train to Baoshan Station, then transfer to a bus to Mangshi; the bus ride takes about 2.5 hours.
• Local Transport: Downtown Mangshi is not large, and taxi rides are often charged at the starting fare. Renting a shared electric scooter is an even better way to explore slowly, costing about 20–30 yuan per day. To go to Ruili, take a minibus from the long-distance bus station; the ride takes about 1.5–2 hours and costs 40 yuan. You can also charter a car for about 300–400 yuan per day.
• Accommodation Recommendations: In Mangshi, stay near Mangshi Square or Jinta Avenue, where transport and dining are convenient. Budget hotels cost about 80–150 yuan per person per night. Ruili can be visited as a day trip without staying overnight; if you do need accommodation, choose the downtown area or somewhere near Jiegao Port.

Practical Tips

• Carry Your ID: Dehong is a border region. When visiting places such as Jiegao Port in Ruili, you may encounter ID checks, so be sure to carry your ID card with you.
• Respect Local Customs: Many locals practice Theravada Buddhism. You need to remove your shoes when entering pagodas, and it is not appropriate to wear revealing clothing such as camisoles or short skirts. Follow local ethnic and religious etiquette.
• Protect Yourself from Sun and Heat: Dehong has strong UV rays, so apply sunscreen and wear a hat on sunny days. When the weather is hot, go out in the early morning and evening, and rest indoors, such as in a café, around midday.
• Be Cautious When Shopping: Ruili has many jade and gemstone markets. Travelers who do not understand market prices are advised to look but not buy. Burmese specialties sold by the roadside should also be checked carefully before deciding whether to purchase them.
• Be Prepared for the Weather: Showers are frequent during the rainy season (June–August), so carry an umbrella. The temperature difference between morning and evening can also be fairly large, so bring a light jacket.